How a Nation is Shaping Global Innovation in 2025
105 hours of scientific work on ISS with 13 experiments
Comprehensive framework for high-risk AI systems in healthcare
Robust protections for healthcare data and infrastructure
Poland's scientific legacy spans centuries—from Nicolaus Copernicus revolutionizing our understanding of the solar system to Marie Curie's pioneering work on radioactivity that earned her two Nobel Prizes. This rich history of breakthrough discoveries continues into the 21st century, with Polish researchers now making remarkable contributions across space exploration, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
As Poland assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2025, the country stands at a unique intersection of historical scientific achievement and cutting-edge innovation 1 .
This article explores how contemporary Polish science builds upon this illustrious legacy while addressing tomorrow's global challenges through groundbreaking research and international collaboration.
Poland's space program reached an extraordinary milestone in 2025 with the completion of the IGNIS space mission, which achieved all its objectives with remarkable success. Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski dedicated 105 hours aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to scientific work, with approximately 62% of this time devoted to research and technological experiments 8 .
Specialists involved in the IGNIS mission worldwide 9
Educational outreach events during the mission 8
The IGNIS mission conducted 13 research projects spanning multiple scientific disciplines, each designed to leverage the unique environment of space to answer fundamental research questions.
| Activity Category | Percentage of Time | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific & Technological Tasks | 62.4% | 13 experiments across life sciences, materials science, and technology development |
| Educational Outreach | 18.8% | 30 events including live connections with Polish students |
| Mission Communication | 17.6% | Media engagement, public outreach, and promotional activities |
| Medical Activities | 1.2% | Crew health monitoring and physiological maintenance |
One particularly promising experiment tested how biodegradable polymer-based drug delivery systems withstand the harsh conditions of space. The results may not only improve long-term space missions but also advance treatment options for chronic diseases on Earth 9 .
Poland's life sciences sector has embraced artificial intelligence with remarkable sophistication, operating within comprehensive regulatory frameworks designed to ensure safety and efficacy. The most important legal acts governing AI use in life sciences include Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the establishment of harmonised rules on AI, and the country's Pharmaceutical Law 1 .
These regulations specifically address high-risk AI systems—those meeting criteria outlined in Article 6, paragraph 1 of the Regulation, as well as those listed in Annex III as systems posing a significant risk of damage to health, safety, fundamental rights, or the environment 1 .
AI technologies are accelerating numerous aspects of drug development and healthcare delivery throughout Poland. Companies using AI systems to process registration documentation can significantly accelerate drug approval procedures during necessary registration processes 1 .
| Application Area | Specific Uses | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Drug Development | Analysis of preclinical and clinical documentation; identification of compounds | Reduction in development time and costs; more targeted therapies |
| Clinical Trials | Patient selection; monitoring; data analysis | More efficient trial design; improved patient matching; real-time safety monitoring |
| Pharmacovigilance | Analysis of adverse event reports; risk identification | Earlier detection of safety issues; improved patient protection |
| Regulatory Processes | Processing registration documentation; streamlining approval procedures | Faster patient access to new treatments; reduced administrative burdens |
As Poland's healthcare system becomes increasingly digitalized, protecting sensitive medical data and critical healthcare infrastructure from cyber threats has become a national priority. The Polish healthcare sector faces sophisticated challenges from cyber-attacks, advanced cybersurveillance, and espionage tools such as rootkits 1 .
The Polish justice system employs robust legal tools to protect data and IT systems while countering cybercrime. Article 267 of the Penal Code is increasingly used against cybercrime, penalizing unauthorized access to computer systems 1 .
Legal protections against cybercrime
Poland's approach to healthcare cybersecurity extends beyond punitive measures to encompass comprehensive preventive frameworks. In alignment with EU standards, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the foundational legislation regulating civil liability for data breaches, including medical data 1 .
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 standard has been widely adopted across Polish healthcare entities as a benchmark for information security management 1 .
A transformative shift is occurring in how Polish biotechnology companies and investment funds operate, moving toward increasingly collaborative and platform-based research models. In recent years, many biotechnology firms have embraced technologies based on genetic information to create biomolecular platforms that intervene at different points in the biomolecular information chain to modify disease processes 1 .
Companies begin by building the platform itself and designing experiments to demonstrate its usefulness as a source of therapeutics 1 .
They then identify diseases, therapeutic areas, or biologically related disease groups that can be treated with these therapeutic tools 1 .
Finally, they prioritize drug discovery and development for selected diseases 1 .
Another significant trend reshaping Polish science is the application of the portfolio model to biotechnology R&D financing and management 1 . This innovative business model features a portfolio manager controlling a set of companies or projects spanning multiple technologies and therapeutic areas.
| Research Reagent/Material | Function | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Genetically Modified Yeast | Protein production; drug delivery systems testing | IGNIS space mission experiment on drug stability in microgravity 9 |
| Biodegradable Polymers | Drug encapsulation; controlled release delivery | Space-based testing of novel pharmaceutical delivery systems 9 |
| AI Algorithms | Data analysis; pattern recognition; predictive modeling | Clinical trial patient selection; adverse event monitoring 1 |
| EEG Neurofeedback Systems | Brain activity monitoring; cognitive assessment | Astronaut mental health monitoring during space missions 9 |
Poland's scientific landscape in 2025 reflects a dynamic integration of historical excellence and forward-looking innovation. From groundbreaking space research aboard the International Space Station to cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and collaborative research models, Polish science is demonstrating remarkable versatility and ambition.
"The country's assumption of the EU presidency, combined with substantial investments in research infrastructure and international partnerships, positions Poland as an increasingly influential player in addressing global challenges through scientific advancement."
As Poland continues to build upon its rich scientific heritage, the emerging generation of researchers benefits from enhanced funding opportunities, international collaboration frameworks, and innovative research models that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.